Analysis: Yuniesky Betancourt to KC Royals for Prospects

Yesterday, the Seattle Mariners dealt starting shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for two pitching prospects, a move that falls in line with the trades and pickups that GM Jack Zduriencik has made already in his tenure. Betancourt, 27, was batting around .250 this season and had been struggling more than usual at the plate. His tenure with the team over the past three plus seasons yielded a .279 average batting mostly in eighth and ninth spot. In trading the starting shortstop (who was rehabbing at triple-A affiliate Tacoma) the Mariners have handed the job to Ronnie Cedeno, acquired in the offseason from the Chicago Cubs. At least for now. The Mariners give up a ton in batting prowess at the position with the trade, Cedeno is batting almost .100 points lower than Betancourt, but the transition defensively should be smooth as Cedeno is easily Betancourt's equal in the field. Maybe with regular playing time and positioning Cedeno can thrive, but t...